Surprisingly good concerts?

I was just thinking of all the shows I've seen over the years, and was wondering how many you've gone too, where you were just shocked it was such a good show. I went to a lot with my wife that I really hated, and knew it going in I would hate. There was one we went to that I wasn't really looking forward, too, even though I was sort of a fan way back when they first came out. That band being Nine Inch Nails. I wasn't dreading going to it, but would have rather stayed home and watched tv lol But gotta say, after the show was over, I'd have to rank it as one of the best shows I've ever seen. The light show was out of this world, and I was blown away.

Another band I saw once that I was shocked at was Rammstein. I liked the one song they played on the radio, but knew next to nothing about them other than that. I was driving home from work one day and passed the arena that the Family Values tour was playing at, and figured WTF, i got nothing to do, so I parked and went and bought a ticket. I liked Korn at the time, but that was about it that was there that night. Rammstein came on stage, and blew the freaking place apart. Fire and explosions everywhere, loud as hell, just a great show. Stil really don't listen to their music, but if they ever come near me again, I am there, just for the show. I did see them again about 5 or 6 years ago, and still blew me away.

So those are the only two that come to mind that blew me away, how bout you guys? Anything?

The one I think of right off the bat is Little River Band.

I was a sophomore in college at the time and a cute girl I liked wanted to go.  I knew the songs "Help Is On the Way" and "Lonesome Loser" but that was about it but the band had a concert at James Madison University so I figured what the hell.  I was not at all prepared for how good that concert was; the sound was pristine (maybe a little too pristine but back then no one thought bands lip synched).  Even songs on the radio that I hated like "Reminiscing" sounded superb.  

That's still probably the 3rd or 4th best show I've ever seen (it didn't hurt that the girl spent half the show sitting in my lap )

Years ago I scored free tickets from work to see Alan Jackson and Martina McBride for my wife, who is a big time country music fan girl. I thought it was going to be a hellish evening but I had to admit, Alan put on a pretty good show (and Martina was frickin hot).
While my wife rocked out to Alan and Martina, I spent most of the time ogling all the ladies in tight jeans and tiny t-shirts in the audience. The first ten rows looked like a hair metal concert. I remember thinking, "OK, so this is where all the hair metal girls went."

Weird Al puts on a great show. I enjoyed more than I expected.

I went to the Ogden Theater in Denver, CO (USA) to see Guster (from Boston, MA, USA)
The opening band was Rodrigo Y Gabriela (from Mexico City)  My jaw was on the flooor within the first minute & bought their debut album (Rodrigo Y Gabriela, 2006) from the lobby vendor as soon as their encore song was finished \m/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rodrigo_y_Gabriela

https://youtu.be/ENBX_v1Po1Y

Chicago in 1976
MISS Convention Show 1995
Garth Brooks late 90's

Motley Crue.
They opened for Ozzy.
Bark at the Moon tour. Sold out.
I had a faint idea about Crue and a few of their songs.
They just released “ Shout at the Devil “.
That show - them on stage - they were wildly commanding !
Never saw a band so reckless with attitude like that before.

Over the years, I was fortunate to see many, many shows for free so there were plenty of acts that I wouldn't normally care about but watched them because I could. Some that come to mind...

Kid Rock
Korn
Marilyn Manson

While their music may not have reflected it, their stage shows had all the big production and pyro of a Motley Crue gig circa 1987.

MetalGuy71 wrote:

Over the years, I was fortunate to see many, many shows for free so there were plenty of acts that I wouldn't normally care about but watched them because I could. Some that come to mind...

Kid Rock
Korn
Marilyn Manson

While their music may not have reflected it, their stage shows had all the big production and pyro of a Motley Crue gig circa 1987.

I was a fan of Korn and saw them twice. Was actually disappointed both times. They played very short sets when I saw them and thought they were kinda boring live. Marilyn Manson I was never a fan of, but did see him once at ozzfest. Was really liking the show, and was thinking of checking out some albums, until he wiped his ass with the American flag and stomped all over it. After that I lost all interest. Never saw kid rock, but I can see him putting on a good show.

My first concert was Ted Nugent. Cat Scratch Fever tour.
Obviously I was in awe. Even being in the parking lot.
Even people selling bootleg tee shirts. Scalpers.
Crowd was smoking pot. Place was one big cloud.
My older brother brought me ! Love him for that !

About 10 years ago my brother wanted me to go see Flyleaf with him, and Drowning Pool was one of the opening bands. All I knew from them was the song Bodies and I recall thinking "oh, great, this is going to be an ordeal." Nope. The songs were catchy, heavy and the band was really tight and extremely energetic. After their set I felt bad for Flyleaf for having to follow that.

Hank III And Assjack as well, maybe 20 years ago. Hank and his band came out and played really authentic Classic Country music, and I thought they were fantastic. Then after about 45 minutes or so Hank stopped and said "you folks who came out here just to hear the Country stuff and don't like Heavy Metal, thank you for coming, I hope you enjoyed it, but you might want to leave now. Everyone else, stick around, we'll be right back." The band walked off stage for a few minutes, then came back and ripped everyone's faces off with killer Punk-influenced Death Metal. It was a hoot watching the bassist shredding on the same stand-up bass he had used to play stuff like I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry earlier. This might have been my favorite show ever.

I saw Hank Williams Jr. a few years back and it was a wild rowdy show and he is a showman for sure...